IKEA has officially opened its Brighton store, welcoming customers to explore the new location within Churchill Square Shopping Centre from 10am on Thursday, 14th August 2025. Occupying the newly renovated former Debenhams unit, the store spans 6,695 square metres across two storeys and represents a major step in the retailer’s strategy to improve accessibility by bringing IKEA into city centres.
The launch was marked with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Councillor Amanda Grimshaw BEM and IKEA Brighton’s team of 150 co-workers. Customers queued outside to be among the first to visit, with entertainment including seagull mascots, a magician, and live music. Inside, further surprises included mocktail sampling, a children’s beach-hut design competition, and a “spin the wheel” game offering IKEA vouchers and prizes.
Karina Gilpin, Market Manager at IKEA Brighton, said: “It is fantastic to officially open the doors of our IKEA Brighton store, in the heart of the city. We have had such a warm welcome from the community, and we loved celebrating the opening with our first customers today.
“This store represents our commitment to making IKEA more accessible to city residents. Whether customers visit to explore our inspiring roomsets, plan their dream spaces or simply to enjoy a taste of Sweden, we hope everyone feels at home here.”
Located just a short distance from Brighton’s shoreline, the store delivers IKEA’s hallmark shopping and dining experiences in a more compact, urban format. The ground floor offers around 2,600 home furnishing products available for immediate purchase, while the full 12,000-strong range is accessible via home delivery or collection. A home planning hub provides design consultations for kitchens and bedroom storage.
Shoppers can also explore the Re-shop and Re-use area, where pre-owned and discontinued IKEA items are available for sale at lower prices, promoting a more circular retail model.
Upstairs, the store showcases a selection of Brighton-inspired roomsets co-created with local residents. These include features that reflect the city’s unique identity, such as nods to the iconic beach huts. Ceramicists Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey contributed to the roomset designs. Johnson commented: “We’ve always loved IKEA because it’s like an interiors disco – and what’s life without a little sparkle?”
Visitors can dine in the 100-seat Swedish Deli, which offers sea views alongside classic dishes such as meatballs and plantballs. Ingredients are also available to take home from the Swedish Food Market, while cold snacks and drinks can be picked up at the Swedish Bite café on the ground floor.
Mark Buchanan-Smith, Meeting Place Manager at Churchill Square, Ingka Centres, added: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome IKEA to Churchill Square as it opens its very first store in Brighton. This long-anticipated moment marks a significant milestone for the city and reflects what our community has been asking for. IKEA will become a crucial part of our Meeting Place experience – helping us create a vibrant destination where people come together to shop, eat, and enjoy meaningful moments in the heart of Brighton & Hove.”
IKEA Brighton becomes the third city-centre IKEA location in the UK, following openings in Hammersmith and Oxford Street, London. The centrally located Churchill Square store is easily accessible by public transport, foot, or bike.
